Several former candidates and party members had previously indicated that they believed the party should nominate a woman, and some even suggested that Olivier Bolduc step aside.

The governing Coalition Avenir Québec has passed its first electoral test since winning the Oct. 1 provincial vote.

Eric Tetrault took his name off the ballot in the Louis-Hebert riding on Wednesday night after spending the day defending himself against allegations he psychologically harassed employees in a previous job.